Zambia abolishes death penalty, criminal defamation

Zambia has abolished the death penalty and the offence of criminal defamation, Qazet.az reports according to Premium Times Nigeria.

“Today we assented to Penal Code Bill number 25 of 2022, abolishing the death penalty in Zambia and the offence of Criminal Defamation of the President. Promised to amend laws that inhibit democracy, human rights, good governance & basic freedoms. #PromisesDelivered,” President Hakainde Hichilema tweeted.

Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, said the abolishment is a good and progressive move that shows the country’s commitment to protecting the right to life.

With this, Zambia becomes the 25th country in sub-Saharan Africa to abolish the death penalty for all crimes.

“We also commend President Hichilema for quashing the offence of criminal defamation of the president, used until recently to muzzle free speech and unjustifiably limit freedom of expression in the country,” he said